pitney



Aug. 7, 1928.

A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINESOriginal Filed Jan. 8, 1923 13 Sheets-Sheet l J9 3d do? 3 'fllfimmvo 16m Il iii. a? N E oam wt-flli R Q? gv toR Aug. 7, 1928.

A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINESOriginal Filed Jan. 8, 1923 1S Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 7, 1928.

' A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINESOriginal Filed Jan. 1923 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 ttorn Aug. 7, 1928.

A. H. PlTN EY l3 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Jan. 8, 1923 anveutozAug. 7, 1928. 1,680,114

A. H. PlTNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINESOriginal Filed Jan. 8, 1923 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ill llll Hill H1Hllllllllllllllll WWI m ll I Aug. 7, 1928.

A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINES13 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Jan. 8, 1923 In ventor Aug. 7, 1928.

A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINESOriginal Filed Jan. 8, 1925 7 l5 Sheets-Sheet '7 H or 1 1 b 301 111 109us 117 110 114 Aug. 7, 1928. 1,680,114 A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISMFOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINES Original Filed Jan. 8, 192;} 13Sheets-Sheet 8 gvwantoz s im W N L- QM i N? M 4 6 2: 03 .A 1 6 3 3: i? Arllllllllllllllllllll 1' n35 uwuz umo. w: EGR 3% MOxxFWOl W 3 Aug. .7,1928.

A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINESOriginal Filed Jan. 8, 1923 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 avwanfo'a Aug. 7, 1928.1,680,114 A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METERMACHINES Original Filed Jan. 8, 1923 13 Sheets-Sheet l0 Inventor. 7 v H.)wyfmw w 20 Attorne s a a i i a i 4 i .1 Z 7 4 a 1 a. i, 1 L .11 Q I 6 wA 1 n F a l W I 2 m u u. Qy I .D 2 I F 0 x i 4 1 i. 0 C s 2 2 a.. .353 a4 8 1. b I 8 #7 d M a 1 2 I 1 4 w L 5 A 2 b 4 a a D D M4 .28 4 12 2 a CD m 3 9 2 m M 7 602 0911 3 F m Aug. 7', 1928. 1,680,114

A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINESOriginal Filed Jan. 8, .1925 13 Sheets-Sheet ll Fig.2? E5 39 a. 301 31$3 am 303 30 Aug. 7, 1928. 1,680,114 A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FORPARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINES Original Filed Jan. 8, 1923 13Sheets-Sheet l2 2 Ill! y fill/111111111 1110, 1%afi a V [14% I I II I IAug. 7,1928.

A. H. PITNEY PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL POST POSTAGE METER MACHINESOriginal Filed Jan. 8, 1923 I 13 Sheets-Sheet 115 4 D 4 i n m Q w 2 I/ M4 4 {I e Z 0 I IV a 4 L a w ,w 1 6 b 5 4 6 4 a a i ,4 3 F| l 4 4Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR H. PITNEY, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN-MENTS, T0 PITNEY-BOWES POSTAGE METER OOMPANY, 0F STAMFORD, CONNECTI-CUT, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

PRINTING MECHANISM FOR PARCEL-POST POSTAGE METER MACHINES.

Original application filed January 8, 1923, Serial No. 611,496. Dividedand this application filed September 23, 1924.

This application is a division of my application for patent on parcelpost postage meter machine, filed January 8, 1923, Serial No. 611,496.

This invention is a novel machineparticularly -designed for printing anyone of a number of stamps, tickets, or the like. of differentdenominations as desired. The invention is particularly adapted anddesigned for printing prepaid postage stamps for use on so-called permitmail matter. The machine shown is capable of printing stamps of anydenomination ranging in amount from 19*. up to and including $1.00, butthe machine can be constructed to print a less or greater variety ofdenominations of stamps, if so desired, that being merely a matter ofdesign and size of the machine.

Theinvention is particularly adapted for use in the mailing of so-calledparcel post matter, and while it can be adapted to print such stampdirectly on the mail matter, the machine shown is constructed to printthe stamps upon a gummed tape, which stamps are detached and applied tothe mail matter like ordinary stamps.

The machine is not only designed to print stamps of any desireddenomination as the same may be wanted for use, but also to register thetotal monetary value or amount of stamps printed by means of aregistering mechanism so connected with the machine that each and everystamp printed, no matter what its denomination, will havetheamountthereof registered by a suitable counter.

The machine is also designed to be used in a connection with a so-calledmeter. which preferably may be detached from the machine for conveniencein setting the meter; and this meter preferably. contains theregistering mechanism. 'In such cases the machine and meter are soconstructed in relation to each other-that when the meter is'removedfrom the machine the latter will be rendered inoperative; and when themeter 1s replaced in the machine the latter can be operated until theamount of prepaid postage which has been purchased is practicallyexhausted. The amount of the prepaid postage is set by a post ofliceofiicial on a counter in the'meter, hen the latter is removed Serial No.739,353.

from the machine, and then when themeter is replaced 111 the machine thelatter can be operated to print any desired stamp or postage isexhausted mechanisms are auto- 'matically tripped or actuated wherebythe meter will not register further, and the mach ne cannot be againeffectively operated to printa stamp, until the meter is reset for anadditional amount of prepaid postage and replaced in the maehin Thepresent invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with thepostage meter machines, shown and described in my Patent #1 ,370,668,dated March 8, 1921', which machines are now used for mailing prepaidfirst class mail matter. Such postage meters are adapted for handlingmail matter in large quantities, .but it frequently happens incommercial use that matter has to be mailed for which the value of thestamp made or indicated by the postage meter machine is not sufficientto coverthe necessary amountof prepaid postage. Under such circumstanceswhere the user does not have sufficient mail of heavier weight tojustify the rental of a multiplicity of meters of various denominationsof stamps to meet all of his mail requirements, the postal laws andregulations permit the aflixing of additional adhesive stamps to make upthe necessary amount of postage due. The placing of additional stamps onan envelope bearing a prepaid permit postage stamp, not only consumestime, but makes it necessary for the mailer to continue to carryordinary adhesive stamps in stock. The plac ing of ordinary additionaladhesive stamps on permit postage also means extra work and delay at thepost ofiice, where it is necessary to obliterate or smudge the adhesivestamps by hand to prevent the reuse of such stamps. To avoidall theseobjections, one object of my present invention is to enable the largemailers to dispense with the necessity for using the present ordinaryadhesive postage stamps entirely; to provide a machine which will supplyall the pre= paid postage requirements lacking in the present mechanismsused in the prep-aid postage meter system;'and at the same time willfurnish the user with an accurate mechanical audit of all hisexpenditures for postage.

As stated, by means of the present machine a prepaid postage stamp ofany desired denomination can be printed either upon the mail'matteritself or on a gummed strip. In the latter case each stamp when printedwill be severed from the strip and then can be applied to the envelopelike an ordinary stamp, but such stamp bears all the necessary indiciarequired by the Post Office Department in stamps used in the so-calledprepaid postage meter system, and mail matter stamped therewith has allthe advantages of the ermit prepaid first class postage.

When precancelled stamps were first authorized by the Post OfficeDepartment they were originally sold only in sheets of 100 stamps andthe mailer was allowed to use them only in special cases, where thequantity of mail matter on which they were used was sufficient tojustify the employment of one or more clerks in the post office to notonl supervise the handling of such stamps an mail, but to sort and routethe mail in pouches direct to the terminals, thereby saving a secondhandling at the post office. The Post Ofiice Department is nowencouraging the more general use of prepaid permit postage, by largemailers; and the use of my patented prepaid postage meter machines,above referred to; and such other machines as comply with therequirements of the de partment in the printing of stamps on first classmail matter.

My invention provides a thoroughly efiicient machine which will printand register prepaid metered mail stamps of any value,

from 1-up to and including $1.00, with all the essential marks ofidentity, including the date, meter number, permit number, and point oforigin will not only meet all the requirements of the Post OfliceDepartment and the user, but will save the Government the expense ofmaking and distributing of a proportionate number of ordinary adhesivestamps; and save the user the annoyance and risks incident to having tocarry a stock of ordinary stamps, and of having his mail delayed.

The printed indicia of a postage meter on gummed tape, would alsoeliminate the annoyance and possibility of dishonesty attending the useof precancelled stamps, now used by some large mailers, in order tofacilitate despatch of their packaged mail upon reaching the postoflioe, by saving the -time otherwise necessary to cancel the stamps byhand.

The stamps printed by the machine contam all the essential requirementsof both a postage stamp and a precancelled stamp, namely, the amountpaid, the point of origin, the date, the users permit number, and thenumber of the meter and machine on which it was printed. The amount, andthe date, can be set by the operator, and the meter or registersafeguards the account.

To enable others to understand and use the invention I will explain onepractical embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, but I do not consider the invention limited to the specificconstruction or arrangement of mechanisms shown and disclosed in thedrawings, and therefore refer to the appended claims for summaries ofthe essentials of the invention, and the various novel combinations, andvarious novel features, for all of which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the complete machine, some small partsbeing omitted for the purpose of clearness.

Fig. 2- is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the complete machine with thecover or casing removed, the meter being in position.

Fig. 1 is a front View of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, with the dialactuating mechanism removed to more clearly show the underlying parts.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the dial, partly broken away, showing thelocating and indexing arms. 7

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section on the line 7-7, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section on line 88 Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the devices for operating the meter pin.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the devices for operating gear 7 and cam 8.

Figs. 11, 12, and 13 are detail views showing differentrelativepositions of the indexing gear 7 and actuating cam 8.

Fig. 14- is a detail end view of the mechanism for operating theregistering wheels and inking devices.

\ Fig. 15 is an opposite end view of the devices on the line 18-18, Fig.22.

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 1919, Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a detail transverse section through the guide plates 402,4:03.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged detail view of the mechanism for feeding thestrip.

Fig. 22 is a plan View of the devices shown in Fig. 21.

- strip.

Fig. 28 is a detail shown in Fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a side view of the inking devices and means for operatingsame.

Fig. 30 is a top plan view of the devices shown in Fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is alongitudinal sectional view of plan view of devices themeans for setting the dating wheels.

Fig. 32 is a detail plan view of the die and devices carrying same.

Fig. 33 is a detail View of the parts shown in Fig. 32, also showing thedie in locked position with the printing wheels ready for printingoperation in full lines; and showing in dotted lines the die disengagedfrom the printing wheels. I

Fig. 34 is an end view of part of the devices for operating the meterfrom the gear 7.

Fig. 35 is a sectional view on line 35 -35, Fig. 34.

Fig. 36 is a sectional view on the line 3636, Fig. 35.

Fig. 37 is a detail end view of Fig. 33 showing 110w the date printingwheels and numeral printing wheels are engaged and locked with the die25.

Fig. 38 is a detail View of the meter-pin locking devices.

Fig. 39 is a sectional view on the line 3939, Fig. 38.

Fig. 40 is a longitudinal sectional view of the meter locking devices online 40--40, Fig. 38.

The machine illustrated is for printing postage stamps to be attached topackages to be sent by parcel post. Also Internal Revenue stampscommonly used for denoting the amount of tax paid on proprietarymedicines, toilet articles, tobacco, playing'cards, etc., but for whichno adequate system of accounting has heretofore been devised.Documentary revenue stamps for stock certificates, promissory notes,checks, r'eceipts, etc., could also be printed in the same way, or, ifpreferred, the stamps of proper denomination could be printed directlyupon the document itself, thereby saving the necessity of afiixing aseparate stamp.

The machine shown comprises, in brief:

(1) a dial upon the rim of which are visibly marked a series of numbersfrom 1 to 100,

for the purpose of selecting the denomina tion of the stamp; (2) .anindexing gear wheel, actuated by an arm on the dial, which communicatesthe movement of the dial arm to both the figure printing wheels and themeter; (3) a member containing the figure, and date printing Wheels, theindicator for setting the date wheels, and the inking mech- ..anism; (4)a die member and impression member; (5) a member containing the meteroperating mechanism; (6) a feeding and cutting mechanism for the gummedtape; (7) a shaft provided with a crank and a series of cams to driveall the various mecha-.

nisms, (except the indexing) in harmony with each other; (8) a removablemeter which contains registering and setting devices, and which may beremoved from the machine for setting and replaced therein; and (9) meanswhich when the meter is removed from the machine will prevent effectiveoperation ofthemachine, and when the meter is in the machine will permitthe machine to be operated until the amount of prepaid postage for whichthe machine Was set is exhausted; whereupon the meter and the machinewill become automatically locked andrendered ineffective until the meteris .removed and reset for a further amount of prepaid postage.

In my application (caseNo. 6754) filed July 12,1922, Serial No. 574,427,I have shown and described the meter which I prefer to use; andexplainedhow such meter is set, or charged, and how it looks itself, andthe mechanism, with which it' is employed against further operation whenthe amount of prepaid postage for which it The dlal,'tl2e locatinglever, and the indexing lever. a I

In the machine shown an index plate or dial 3 is fixedly attached to andmounted upon the upper'side frames and 2, Figs. 3 and 4. This dialpreferably is a circular disk shaped casting and is set at an anglepreferably inclined forward for convenience of the operator. In themachine shown the dial has 101 equally spaced holes 3 drilled throughits rim, all of which are equidistant from the center of the die; theseholes are for the purpose of insuring accuracy in positioning thelocating lever and arresting the index lever. The dial also has 101panels 3 positioned around its arm, one panel 'bing on the face providesfor the necessary movement of the interior operative mechanisms,hereinafter explained, before and after the actual operation ofindexing. 1

The dial casting has an axial boss 3 depending from its lower side(Figs. 3 and 7) and in this boss is journaled'a spindle 11 to the upperend of whichis attached a lever 13, which I term index lever and whichprojects beyond the rim of the dial and is provided with a handle 13 bywhich it can be turned.

Surrounding the shaft 11 below the arm 13 is a sleeve 11 to which isattached a radially disposed lever 14 which I term a locating lever.This lever- 14 is loosely pivoted on the shaft 11 and is used to preventany improper oscillatory movemeht of the indexing lever 13. On the otherend of arm 14 is a plate 14, carrying an antifriction roller 14",bearing on the under side of the rim of dial 3 and holding lever 14 inclose contact with the face of the dial.

An indexing pin 14, Fig. 7, with a v knurled head 14 is mounted on thearm 14,

with a spring (not-shown in drawing) normally forcing its inner endtoward the plate 3. "his pin 14 can be engaged with any one of the holes3*, to hold the arm 14 in any properly adjusted position. In the arm .14is an opening 14 Just large enough 'to expose the related panel 3"- toview when the pin 14 is engaged with its'related hole 3, so

the correct number of that hole will appear in the opening 14 (see Figs.1, 4,6).

On the underside of arm 14 are two downwardly projecting lugs 14- (Fig.7) through which passes a rod on the outer end of which is fastened acatch 35. A spring 35 normally rocks the rod 35 so as to hold the catch35 in its upward position ready to engage and hold the index lever 13.

The index lever 13 normally rests against a stop 3 on the dial 3, at apoint on the negative side of the zero hole of the dial. The lever 13can .be moved forward, clockwise, by means of its handle 13 until the 13on lever 13 engages the edge of lever 14, which arrests it; the catch 35cmgages the other side of the stop 13 and prevents the lever 13 beingmoved backward until the printing is effected as hereinafter explained.

It will be necessary to release catch 35 l and return arm 13 to itsnormal position before the cycle of operations of the machine arecompleted, so an automatic release lever- 36 is pivoted in the on catch35 is provided. A flanged sleeve 11*, Fig. 7, is slidably mounted on thebushing 11*. The top of the flange being counter bored to admit of aslight upward motion without interfering with the hub of the lever 14.

The upward motion is imparted to sleeve 11", Figs. 7 and 5, through theforked lever 36, the link 37, and the cam 38. The forked lugs 3 on thebottom side of the dial 3. The boss 3 of disk 3 has elongated holes cutthrough it to admit the free passage of two pins 36 of'klever 36, Figs.6, 7, which, passing through the boss 3 engage two holes drilled in thesleeve 11 for that purpose. To the free end of the forked lever 36, alink 37 'is attached. A rocker arm 29 pivoted on the shaft 27 serves asa guide and support for the lower end of link 37 and a cam 38 is securedto the cam shaft 23, and engaging a roller 37. on link 37 actuates thelink.

To the inner end of 35 is secured an arm 35 whichcarries a pin 35*. 35*,Fig. 7, of arm 35 bears upon the flange The pin 11 of sleeve 11 byreason of the spring 35,

mounted on the rod 35, consequently an upward movement of sleeve 11 willcause arm 35 toturn the rod 35 in its hearings in the lugs 14 and alsoto rock the catch 35 downward, Fig. 8, thus releasing the index lever13..

Thez'miew gear operating deoz'ces.

On the lower end of spindle 11 is mounted a beveled gear 12 which mesheswith a bevel gear 10 on a shaft 6 journaled in the fram- I ing at'rightangles to spindle 11. On this shaft 6 is mounted a cam 8, and beside thecam alarge indexing gear 7; motion being communicated to the gear 7 fromthe cam 8 by devices hereinafter described. -When the index lever 13 ismoved to turn spindle 11, the cam 8 will he moved and the gear 7 alsocorrespondingly moved thereby, as hereinafter explained, so as toproperly set the numeralprint-ing wheels, and also properly actuate the.registering mechanism as hereinafter explained. The constructionbeing'such. that when the indexgear 7 is turned by manually moving theindex arm 13, the numeral type wheels of the printing 'mechanismwill ;beso shifted that at the moved in exact accordance with thedenomination ofthe stamp printed.

A spur gear 9 (Figs. 9-10) is secured to the shaft 6 beside the cam 8,the parts 6, 8, 9,

and 10 moving as one piece. Cam 8 is moved in one direction by themanual operation of the indexing arm 13, as above described. The returnmovement of cam 8 is automatically accomplished by meansof a gearsegment 20 engaging gear 9, and operated by a cam 22'on shaft 23 (seeFig. 1. This shaft 23 makes one complete revolution in the direction ofthe arrow, Fig. 10, for each cycle of operations of the machine. At thebeginning of an operation cam 22 is at rest in the position indicated inFig. 10, and roller 24, on sector 20, is free to move downward along theedge of the cam when the cam 8 is moved by the manual operation of theindex lever 13, as above described. 7

The amount of upward movement of the toothed portion of the sector 20depends upon the extent of movement of the index lever 13, or in otherwords on the denomination of the stamp to be printed. When the indexlever 13 is held fast by catch 35 as described, the sector 20 will alsobe held fast until the catch is disengaged.

The shaft 23 in revolving carries the cam 22 out of contact with roller24 of sector 20, and when it has made a half revolution the cam 38 (Fig.7) which is also secured to shaft 23 raises the link 37 and releases theindex lever 13, as above described; whereupon sector 20 is free to bemoved in the reverse direction; and, as shaft 23 continues itsrevolution, the cam 22 will strike the roller 24 on sector 20 and forceit back to its original position. This return movement of sector 20 willturn gear 9 back and cause the index lever 13 to move anti-clockwiseback to zero. This return movement will be accomplished no matter atwhat part of its arc of movement the roller 24 or sector 20 may 5 be inbefore the indexing lever is released.

A rocker arm 40 (Figs. 3, 5, 9, 10, 23, 24)

pivoted in the bracket 41, and provided with a roller 40*, is hungdirectly in front of face cam 8 and carries a roller 40 which is pressedagainst the cam surface 8 by a spring 40 connected to the arm. The camsurface 8 has a depression 8 which allows the arm 40 to oscillate whenthe roller 40 enters such depressions as cam 8 is revolved.

The arm 40 is forked adjacent its pivot end to straddle the hub of themiter gear 10; and its free end is forked to'straddle the meter pin 212between the shoulders or collars 212 so that the oscillation of the arm40 will cause the meter pin to oscillate in the direction of its axis,as hereinafter described. I

The oscillations of the meter pin 212 are essential to the properfunctioning of both the printer and its meter. In the printer itsfunction is to lock the indexing gear 7 at the zero point. This isaccomplished by causing the inner end of the meter pin 212 to enter ahole 200 Fig. 35, in one of the transmission gears 200 which meshes withgear 7.

The depression 8 of the cam face 8 1s placed so as to register with theroller 40 on'arm 40 when the index lever 13 is between zero and the stop3 on the dial. The indexing gear 7 is therefore locked when the machineis at rest, and remains locked until the index lever has been advancedclockwise to some significant figure on the dial.

The index gear 7 is loosely mounted on the shaft 6, but is moved by theoperation of the cam 8. For this purpose cam 8 is provided with an areshaped slot, and on gear 7 is a pin 7 (Figs. 10-13) which projects intothe slot 8. The pin and slot will permit a slight relative movement ofthe cam 8 and gear 7, if the pin is free to move in the slot.

A spring 7 connected to cam 8 and gear 7 normally pulls the gear 7 inthe direction which would cause the pin 7 a to travel to the end of thehole 8 nearest the catch 42. It cannot take up that position however ifand when it is locked in another (the zero) position, by reason of theentry of the meter pin 212' into the hole 200 of the transmission gear200, (Fig. 23) as hereinafterdescribed.

The pin 7" may be locked in. the slot, so as to prevent relativemovement of the gear 7 and cam 8, by means of a catch 42 pivoted at 42on the side of the cam 8 adjacent the gear 7; said catch being normallyurged by a spring 42 to engage the pin 7 a of the gear when the latteris in the adjacent end of the slot 8. The catch 42 has two arms 42*, and42 on its rear end Figs. 10-12, 23, 24) which are adapted tosuccessively engage with the beveled end of bar 43 fastened to anadjacent stationary part of the frame in'position to be successivelyengaged by the arms 42, 42". as the ram 8 rotates.

When the cam 8 is advanced by manually moving the index lever 13 asdescribed, the slot 8 will (Fig. 11) move by the pin 7, and thebifurcation 42 contacting with the trip bar 43 (Figs. 12, 23, and 24) isforced inward thereby rocking the hook 42 clear of the pin 7 "h At themoment the hook clears the pin 7 the arm 42 clears the trip bar 43,

the meter pin 212 out of the hole 200 of gear 200, releasing the gears,Figs. 9 and 10. This release takes place just as or an instant beforethe pin 7 is engaged by the end wall of the slot 8. Then while the pin 7is locked in the end of slot 8 by hook 42 (Fig. 13), the gear-7 and cam8 will move as one piece.

The spring 7 will urge and hold the gear 7 in the right direction withrelation to the earn 8, at the moment when the gear 7 is neither heldlocked by the engagement of the meter pin 212 with gear 200; nor beingdriven by the locking of pin 7 a to cam 8. The denomination printingwheels.

The printing wheels (Figs. 14, 16) are mounted in a frame 100 secured toan angle piece 5 and a bar 15, fastened to the side frames 1 and 2. Ahorizontal shaft 102 is mounted. in the frame 100 near the upper rearcorner thereof, and is provided with a coupling 101 on one end (Fig. 16)which en- 1 gages a coupling 18 on the adjacent end of a spindle 16journaled in a bracket 17, secured to the under side of the angle piece5. Spindle 16 carries a gear 19 which meshes with the index gear 7.Shafts 16 and 102 are virtually one shaft; the couplings 18, 101, beingused for convenience in assembling the parts.

Within the frame 100 and securely fastened to shaft 102 is a wheel 103,which is composed of a 20-tooth spur gear, and a 2- tooth intermittentgear fastened together as one piece, the spur on the right and theintermittent on the left hand. Loosely mounted on shaft 102 to the leftof gear 103 is a similar wheel 104, consisting of a 20-tooth spur and a2-tootl1 intermittent gear. Immediately to the left of gear 104, andloosely mounted on shaft 102, is a 20-tooth spur wheel 105.

A short distance above and in front of shaft 102, and parallel with it,is shaft 106. Mounted loosely on this shaft 106 are two inions 107. Eachof these pinions preferably lies ten teeth, and at oneend of each pinionevery alternatetooth is milled away for a short distance converting thatend of each pinion into an intermittent follower gear with 5 stops. (Thepinions 107 do not necessarily have ten teeth; pinions with eight teethand four stops will answer the same purpose). These pinions 107 are soplaced that their intermittent follower ends will be driven by theintermittent portions of wheels 103'and 104, and the spur ends ofpinions 107 will'be meshed with the spur portions of Wheels 104 and 105.Such intermittent gearing is not a feature of the present invention. Itis a modification of the well known Geneva stop movement, and ispreferably used in order to intermittently transmit motion from thefirst wheel 103 to the second wheel 104; and from wheel 104 to wheel105. One revolution of wheel 103 will move wheel 104 of a revolution;and one revolution of wheel 104'will move wheel 105 of a revolution. Thethree wheels 103, 104, 105 will be advanced by themotion imparted togear 103 by the index gear 7, substantially as described in my companionapplication case #6754, filed July 12, 1922, Serial N 0. 574,427.

The gear 19 has only 10 teeth while gear 103 has 20 teeth. Therefore anadvance of one tooth by gear 7 would cause gear 103 to advance two teethor of a. revolution,

and correspondingly advance printing wheel 109 of a revolution.

In the frame 100 (Figs. 14-16) is also mounted a spindle 108 upon whichare loosely mounted three numeralprinting wheels 109, 110 and 111 whichare provided with type figures, and are used in connection with thestamp die to print the value or denomination of the stamp printed by thedie. AS shown, each of these wheels has ten radially projecting typearms, equally spaced around its circumference; these arms respectivelycarry numeral type 0 to 9 in regular sequence. 109 is the units wheel;110 the tens wheel; and 111 the hundreds wheel, of the stampdenomination printing wheels. Secured to each of the wheels 109, 110,111, is a 20-tooth spur gcarlll which meshes with a spur gear 113loosely mounted on a spindle 112 in casing 100. The respective gears 113in turn mesh with the gears attached to the numeral Wheels 103, 104, and105, respectively, of the counter.

The numeral gears 103, 104, and 105 of the counter, and gears of theprinting wheels 109, 110, 111 contain the same number of teeth, andconsequently type figures engraved on the arms of the printing wheels109, 110, and 111 will be presented at the printing point, conformableto the number of teeth on the counter wheels advanced by the index gear.

The denomination number printing wheels 109, 110, 111, are automaticallyshifted in accordance with the position of the setting lever 14 upon themovement of the indexing arm 13 from zero position up to and against thesetting lever, so that the numbers presented by the printing wheels atthe printing point will correspond with the number on the dial seenthrough the opening 14 in the setting lever 14.

The date printing wheels. Four date printing wheels (114, 115, 116,

and 117) are also loosely mounted on shaft 108 adjacent the denominationprinting wheels (109, 110, 111). Each of the date printing wheels hastwelve radially projecting arms around its circumference. The arms ofwheel 114 are engraved Jan. Feb. March, etc., representing the 12months. The arms of wheel 115 are engraved, 1, 2,

3, blank, 1, .2, 3, blank, etc. The twelve arms of wheel 116 areengraved from 0 to 9 with two blanks; and the arms of wheel 117 areengraved with a series of numbers representing years A. D. Each of thedating wheels has secured to it a spur gear 114, 115, 116". and 117 toenable it to be turned by the date opening 122. Each of the wheels 118119,

120, and 121 is engraved with the same characters as its related dateprinting wheel (114, 115,116, and 117) which characters can be read atthe sight opening 122. Each wheel 118, 119, 120, 121 (Fig. 17) hasfastened to its sides a spur gear (118, 119, 120 and 121") by whichmotion may be transmitted to its corresponding date printing wheel (114,115, 116, and 117) through intermediate gears 123 mounted on a. spindle123 in the casing 100.

As shown (Fig. 31) wheel 118 is provided with a long hub or sleeve 118to the outer end of which a knurled knob 118 is secured, and the gear118 is also fastened to wheel 118. Wheel 119 is similarly provided witha sleeve 119, a gear 119", and a knurled knob 119. The parts 118,118,and 118 as a unit turn freely on the sleeve 119 and must be assembledthereon before attaching theknob 119. The wheels 120 and 121 are similarin construction and mounting to wheels 119 and 118, as shown in Fig. 31.The shaft 124 passes through the boxes of sleeves 119 and 120 and holdsthem in line, and is it.- self held in place by screws 124 and washers124. Two cap plates 125 attached to'the frame 100 support the sleeves118 and 121 and the parts mounted thereon.

To set the date rinting wheels it is only necessary to turn t e relatedwheels 118, 119, 120 and 121 by means of their knobs 118, 119, 120, and121, until the correct date appears at the sight opening 122 in case'122, the date printing wheels 114, 115, 116, and 117 being adjusted byand with the wheels 118, 119, 120, 121; so when the correct date isshown at the sight opening 122 the correct type for printing such datewill be positioned by wheels 114, 115, 116,117 at the printing point.

When the date printing wheels 114, 115, 116 have 'been properly adjustedto bring the desired date and number to the printing position, theyremain in that position ready for operation at any time until the dateis to be changed, which is manually effected as above described.

The stamp die. lWhen the machine is ready to make an operation, prior tothe printing, the properly positioned type arms upon the date wheels anddenominational wheels are engaged by a stamp'die plate 25, (Figs. 32,33) which die also carries on its own face any desired indicia, such asU. S. postage and the place of mailing, that it is desired shall appearupon the stamp.

"As shown in Fig. 32-the die plate 25 has a slot 25, to receive thenumeral arms of the denomination printing wheels, and a 'slot 25 toreceive the numeral arms of the date printing wheels. The die plate isse-' cured to one end of an oscillating lever 26 which is pivoted 'onthe shaft 27, and is caused to oscillate at the proper times by a cam 28fastened to the cam shaft 23. Lever 26 has a roller 26 (Figs. 25 and 26)on its lower end 26' held in engagement with said cam by a spring 26.Cam 28 makes one complete revolution to each printing operation. a

In the raised position of the die 25 (Fig. 33) the type faces of the'arms of all the printing wheels 109,110, 111,-114, 115, 116, 117) areentered in the slots 25 and 25 and said type faces are in the samevplane as the engraved face of the die; and while in this position, andafter inking, an impression is taken from the die and type arms of. thedating ,and denominational wheels engaged therewith, by suitable means;preferably as hereinafter described.

While the parts are in the position shown in Fig. '33 the'd-ie'25 isinked by an ink roller 301 (Fig. 14) which is then moved across the faceof the die, and immediately after the impression is taken the ink rolleris returned to the position indicated in Figs. 14

and 15, andthe die '25 is caused to take up the position shown in dottedlines in Fig.

33, disengaging thedate and denominational printing wheels and allowinthe denominational wheels to be turned back to zero] by the return"movement of indexing-lever. 13 and parts connected therewith.

The die 25 remains in this lowered posi-' tion while the machine-is idleand until the denomination printing wheels 109,110,

111, have been reset for printing thegnext stamp. The wheels arereturned to zero after every operation, sothey must always be reset.None ofthe printing wheels can be' revolved while.-;-t he die is in itsupper position, as the wheel'arms are then engaged in the slots 25 and25 of the die plate.

- The impression is effected by a platen 29, which is mounted on a lever29' (Figs. 3, 27, 28) pivoted on the shaft 27. The platen 29 use

